Switching to Summer Mode

05/15/2009

Every year as summer approaches, my rotation needs an overhaul. It isn’t easy but the unwieldy “winter at my desk” lot needs taming to an easy “on the go” crew. Minimal upkeep is key but a satisfying splash of summer color for my correspondence and journal is essential, too.

My criteria for summer pens are simple: light in weight and easily replaced. No worries if one gets left behind or slips out of my bag. Three to five of them should be plenty. My pens that fit the bill best are

Lamy Vista with the transparent barrel so I can see the ink

Lamy Al-Star because the aluminum barrel and icy colors are cooling on a hot summer day

Esterbrook (J, SJ, or LJ) for nib variety

Inks that suit sultry summer nights and blistering summer days are those colors you’d find at the beach or in a garden. Some of my favorites along with the images they conjure are

Caran d’Ache Caribbean Sea – seaside holiday

Diamine China Blue – soft cotton linens

Diamine Kelly Green – freshly watered grass

Diamine Light Green – new plant growth

Diamine Maroon – deep pink roses

Diamine Royal Blue – clear skies

Diamine Sepia – flowers, pebbles and beaches

Iroshizuku Syo-Ro – ocean surface

Iroshizuku Yu-Yake – sunrise

J. Herbin Bleu Azur – sun bleached pool

J. Herbin Bleu Pervenche – cotton cloth and seaside jewelry

J. Herbin Bouquet D’Antan – pale pink hydrangeas

J. Herbin Gris Nuage – rain clouds

J. Herbin Poussiere de Lune – lavender flowers

J. Herbin Rouille D’Ancre – daylily and Gerbera daisies

J. Herbin Vert Olive – pale green ornamental grass

Private Reserve Purple Haze – gauze clothing, lavender and shadows

Private Reserve Shell Pink – lipstick and flowers

Private Reserve Shoreline Gold – nasturtiums and marigolds

Rohrer and Klingner Morinda – Hawaiian shirts

Sailor Gray – sea squall, stormy ocean at the horizon

Same list of inks but by color

Blue

Caran d’Ache Caribbean Sea

Diamine China Blue

Diamine Royal Blue

Iroshizuku Syo-Ro

J. Herbin Bleu Azur

J. Herbin Bleu Pervenche

Red/Pink

Diamine Maroon

J. Herbin Bouquet D’Antan

Private Reserve Shell Pink

Rohrer and Klingner Morinda

Gray

J. Herbin Gris Nuage

Sailor Gray

Orange

Diamine Sepia

Iroshizuku Yu-Yake

J. Herbin Rouille D’Ancre

Private Reserve Shoreline Gold

Green

Diamine Kelly Green

Diamine Light Green

J. Herbin Vert Olive

Purple

J. Herbin Poussiere de Lune

Private Reserve Purple Haze

No, I don’t own all of those inks! But I have seen written samples or scored a small vial of each except Caribbean Sea. One of these days…

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